Don’t let your attitude trump your talent

Having a natural talent in your field of interest is definitely a plus when considering changing jobs or starting a search however being talented will not necessarily guarantee a job. What will help you is combining a good attitude with your talent.

Seth Godin made a great point in a recent blog post about the likely truth behind the war for talent, highlighting what employers are really looking for in employees. Choosing attitude over talent is often the case when searching for the best candidate.

No doubt certain fields require specialized skills and having the needed expertise will generate attention, but what will carry you over to the top candidate category is your ability to get along with others and show you care. As Seth mentioned the search for good talent is really the search for a good attitude. Having a good attitude helps you deal with the unexpected changes in the workplace, the ability to bounce back, and handle difficult coworkers, customers and changes in plans.

Just how important is a good attitude? In a survey Leadership IQ found that 46 percent of all new hires fail within their first 18 months, and it’s not due to skills. Surprisingly, 89 percent of new hires fail for having attitude problems. Ask any hiring manager and they will unanimously agree that a good attitude supersedes other areas. However, attitudes are often taken for granted as a no-brainer when in reality maintaining one is the door to new opportunities.

How you maintain a positive attitude is entirely up to you and it starts with good dose of self-awareness that helps you cope with challenging situations at work. Most managers know that during times of high pressure and stress, talent will contribute but it’s your attitude that helps you cope.

Think for a moment what distinguishes truly successful people from others in dealing with setbacks at work? It’s their attitude of determination, their drive and motivation that fuels their success.

Attitudes do more than generate a memorable impression, they add to your overall well-being and create a fun working environment. Problems that are difficult are easier to solve if you approach them with an open mind and willingness to learn.

Do you think a good attitude is more important than talent in the workplace?